Clay in the Hands

Tillie Burgin is a modern day pioneer.  She is also a model of Jesus leadership.  She is in her 70’s but  she is still on the job and still the center of the organization.  But she is the center not because of her ego.  She is the center because of her passion and heart.  It is inspiring and contagious.

Mission Arlington owns and operates a literal fleet of vehicles – all running in different directions all day long, 6 days per week.  Many of the vehicles are large moving trucks used to pick up donated items and bring them back to be sorted and then re-loaded onto the trucks to be delivered to needy families in the Arlington area.

It was the last run of the day for our crew.  We had delivered a truck full of furniture to a family and then headed off to pick up items from four different donors.  The first three donors had a wide variety of items ranging from 32” TV’s to filing cabinets to used clothing – even an air compressor.  But the last pick up of the day for us was the remains of an estate sale.  Little did we know what we were in for.  We loaded the truck with as much as it could hold and headed back to the warehouse.

When we arrived, the staff immediately called Miss Tillie to take a look and see if the items were any value to the cause.  It was 5:45 in the evening, getting dark and cold.  But Miss Tillie came running, climbed up in the back of that truck and began sorting.

We finally got the truck unloaded and the items placed where they belonged.  I moved the large truck down the street to the parking area for the night and then walked back to the center to meet up with our crew.  It was 7 PM by that time and as I approached our group, I noticed Miss Tillie with a broom and dustpan, sweeping trash in the alley.

I was overcome with the realization that I was watching Jesus leadership in action.  Miss Tillie is the “real deal.”  Here we were going on twelve and a half hours straight and she was picking up trash in the parking lot and alley!

As I drove away that evening I pondered two things.  One, I hope I am still living out my passion with that kind of energy when I am Tillie’s age.  And two, I pray that I can exhibit that kind of servant leadership every day for the rest of my life.

Thank you Miss Tillie for inspiring us all!